Apricot Tea Bread

Ingredients

 * ½ cup soy margarine at room temperature
 * ¾ cup granulated sugar
 * 2 large eggs
 * ½ to ¾ cup low-fat vanilla soymilk
 * 1 tsp orange extract
 * 2 cups all-purpose flour
 * 1 tsp salt
 * 1 tsp baking soda
 * 2 tsp baking powder
 * 1 tbsp orange zest
 * ½ cup pecans, crushed
 * ½ cup dried apricots, coarsely chopped
 * 2 to 3 fresh apricots, pitted and halved
 * ¼ cup orange juice, optional
 * ½ cup granulated sugar, optional

Directions

 * 1) Preheat oven to 375°F.
 * 2) Spray a 9-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray, dust with flour and set aside.
 * 3) Beat margarine and sugar together in a large mixing bowl using an electric beater.
 * 4) Beat in eggs, one at a time, until mixture is light in color and eggs are well combined.
 * 5) Add soymilk and orange extract, beating until well combined.
 * 6) Add flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder, and beat batter on low speed for about 1 minute, or until smooth.
 * 7) Fold orange zest, pecans and dried apricots in by hand just until incorporated.
 * 8) Spoon batter into prepared bread pan.
 * 9) Place apricot halves on surface down center of loaf.
 * 10) Bake for about 1 hour, or until top is golden and a tester inserted in center comes out clean.
 * 11) Remove from oven, take bread from pan and cool loaf on rack until just warm.
 * 12) Stir together orange juice and sugar, if using, and drizzle mixture over top, letting sugar mixture firm before slicing.